Listen to the audio version of this article (generated by AI).
Listen to the audio version of this article (generated by AI).
Responding to a question, Maciej Berestecki said the 27 super milestones applicable to Hungary are linked to rule-of-law concerns identified under the conditionality procedure.
To unlock the funds, Hungary must demonstrate that it can effectively protect the EU’s financial interests and that it has strengthened judicial independence, he said.
While some milestones, including Hungary’s 2023 judicial reforms, have already been implemented, the European Commission will only be able to assess progress once Hungary submits its payment requests, Berestecki added.
“The duration of the program is quite clear. It is defined by its legal basis, and it has to be concluded by the end of this year, and all milestones and targets have to be implemented by the end of August this year,” he said. “And it also applies to Hungary, as to all other member states.”
Hungary may now submit a payment request for evaluation or revise its economic recovery plan to streamline and preserve reforms and investments achievable by the August deadline, he said.
European Commission chief spokesperson Paula Pinho said this would be “challenging,” but “if there is a will, there could be a way.”
“If Hungary wants to review and submit a revised plan, it has to do so as soon as possible, but we are ready to support it in this process,” Berestecki said.
In response to another question, he said the deadline was “set in stone.” All payment requests must be submitted by September, with disbursements completed by the end of 2026.
Meanwhile, Pinho confirmed that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Hungary’s prime minister-elect, Péter Magyar, had agreed to work closely together in the interests of both Hungary and the EU.
The Commission has already begun engaging with Magyar while continuing cooperation with the outgoing government as needed, she said.
She added that the Commission welcomed Magyar’s pro-EU stance and alignment with several EU policy objectives, while acknowledging that significant work remains.
“The first step will come from the new government itself, and we will take it from there,” she said.
Commission spokesperson Balázs Ujvari said about EUR 17 bln in EU funds remain frozen for Hungary, including EUR 7.6 bln under cohesion policy and EUR 10.4 bln from the RRF.
Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For over 30 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.
